Sufferers of long term chronic illnesses must be protected from the “rigid enforcement” of welfare reform, SDLP election candidate Emmet Doyle has said.
Emmet Doyle.
Mr Doyle was speaking after visiting Disability Action with the SDLP European candidate Alex Attwood to meet a range of groups providing support and services to people with disabilities and a wide range of illnesses, including Multiple Sclerosis and Fibromyalgia.
Mr Doyle, standing for election on the Moor ward, said: “Work capability assessments, as part of welfare reform, are much too rigid to be able to assess the impact of long term chronic illnesses on someone’s ability to work, or the level of support they should be receiving.
“Illnesses such as MS and Fibromyalgia, which can bring about intense exhaustion and other debilitating impacts, affect many people in our communities.”
Mr Doyle said focus must also be on the sometimes hidden illnesses when discussing the inhumane effect of welfare reform on those who are ill.
He concluded: “I know the SDLP will not be found wanting on this front and all those involved in welfare reform talks should be mindful of the vicious effects this programme of cuts has on the lives of the poorest and often most vulnerable in our society.”
